Dear Parent, Carers, Students, Staff and Friends of the College,

This term has seen the beginning of our HSC examinations. As a College this is an exciting time for us to see our young men put their learning into practice one final time. Whilst not every teacher has a HSC subject, we always see these examinations as a team effort. This experience is a culmination of all teachers working with our young men to achieve their best. Our class of 2025 have had a positive outlook on their examinations as they work towards one last push to excel in their studies. We wish them all the best for the remainder of their examinations and they know the whole College community is behind them. 

To our Year 7-11 students, we live in a busy world, juggling classes, assessment tasks, cocurricular activities, and of course a social life. This can sometimes feel overwhelming. One of the most effective ways to stay on top of it all which will inevitably reduce stress, is by building a solid study routine. Routine isn’t just about doing the same thing every day. It’s about creating structure that helps your brain know when it’s time to focus. When you study at the same time and place regularly, your mind begins to associate that environment with concentration and productivity. This makes it easier to get started and stay engaged. As parents, we need to help set this study environment so our young men can succeed. We also need to help keep them accountable by ensuring they complete their study, show you their work so they can feel proud of their efforts. This all improves Learner Confidence. 

Compass Insights Surveys and General Permissions 2026

In the coming days and weeks Parents and Carers will see on Compass a few Insight Surveys and Permissions necessary for 2026. We need all families to complete these when they arrive so that we have the correct permissions in 2026 for events, medical and media permissions. Please make sure these are completed within the time allocated so we can effectively plan for next year. 

Events in the Coming Weeks

We have a number of important events coming up that should be on each student’s radar. 

• Week 3 October 28 Year 12 Information Evening 
• Week 3 October 30 Sports Photos
• Week 5 November 11  Remembrance Day
• Week 5 November 12  Year 7 2026 Orientation Day
• Week 6 November 20 Year 9 Reflection Day 
• Week 6 Energy Breakthrough Competition

We continue to expect high standards from each of our young men. A friendly reminder to check in with your son to ensure the following:

• Uniform is meeting the College expectations including belt and polished shoes and correct College bag.
• Punctual to school every day. 
• Haircut is meeting the College expectations
• Do they have the correct equipment for learning in each of their lessons? If not, this impacts the learning of themselves and others. 

Mission and Identity

Prayer for our Year 12 High School Certificate Students,

Join our community as we continue to pray for our Year 12 students as they go through their final exams.

Father God, we praise you for the gifts of education, intelligence, wisdom, and friendship. We pray that as the year comes to its final call for our year 12 students, you give them peace of heart, strength of mind, and joy in their spirits.

St Patrick, pray for us.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Youth Sacramental Mass

On Thursday 25th of September Holy Cross College had nine students receive their sacraments to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church. Four of those students were Baptised Catholic and one made his profession of faith from the Anglican tradition. The evening was also shared with thirteen students from Marist Eastwood and four students of the Parish who also received their sacraments. The mass was celebrated by Bishop Danny Meagher and was in the presence of family and friends of our students and executive staff of Sydney Catholic Schools, including Mrs Danielle Cronin. We would like to thank Fr Greg Morgan, Fr Steve Drum and Br Antonio Abecasis who helped form and lead our group and also the Sacramental Coordinator at St Charles Borromeo, Arran who helped coordinate the group. We are in awe of the commitment these students have made to their faith and look forward to their work as disciples of Christ.

 

 

 

Patrician Service Learning Program

 

The Patrician Service Learning Program was launched at the beginning of the year to create opportunities for students to engage with both their College community and local community. It is a requirement at Holy Cross College that each student complete a minimum of 10 hours of service, 5 internally at the College and 5 externally in their local community. Within the Semester 2 Report, students will have a final report on their hours of service.

 

Students are to ensure that their hours of service are up to date within their diaries and are responsible for also ensuring that the hours of service are recorded on compass by their HCT teacher.

 

At Holy Cross, our value in forming the whole student is important to the growth and development of their confidence, success and part of our Patrician Charism, to serve others. Thank you for your ongoing support of this program.

 

  

   

Brothers in Christ

Brothers in Christ is a new student-led faith formation group that meets every second Wednesday during lunchtime. Guided by an RE Specialist, the group explores intriguing topics not typically covered in the Religious Education curriculum. Sessions are designed to deepen students’ understanding of their faith and equip them with the knowledge to discuss it with others. Topics include questions like ‘How do we know Jesus existed?,’ ‘Is the Shroud of Turin authentic?,’ and ‘What evidence is there for God through Intelligent Design?’ These thought-provoking discussions encourage students to engage critically and spiritually with their beliefs, while also creating a space for open conversation and shared ideas. Brothers in Christ aims to build a strong foundation in apologetics, strengthen personal faith, and foster a supportive community of young men growing together in truth and understanding. Brothers in Christ is at the forefront of faith life in the school, inspiring young men to lead with conviction and courage.

     

 

     

Youth Ministry 

St Merkorious Christmas Appeal

   

This Christmas season, the College will continue to support the St Merkorious Charity for our Christmas appeal. St Merkorious is a charity dedicated to providing items including food, clothing, and other essential items for day-to-day living. As a community, we will seek to serve those in need and offer hope by delivering these essential items which we may take for granted.

 

In order to do this, students will be given a specific list of items, ranging from food, hygiene products, clothing, and other essentials.  Students are encouraged to lend a helping hand and give support to those affected by poverty. Together our efforts can make a difference.

 

Thank you

   

 

 

 

 

 

  

   

Deanery Youth Afternoon - Term 4

 

Students in Years 9,10 are invited to attend the Deanery Youth Event for Term 4 on the 7th of November. This event will be hosted by Marist Sisters Woolwich with the assistance of Sydney Catholic Youth and will focus on the theme of Faith over Fear!

 

The event will begin at 4:00pm until 5:30pm and students will be provided a pizza dinner. Students will have the opportunity to better understand the place of Faith and overcoming Fear and unite with students from Marist Sisters Woolwich and Marist College Eastwood

 

This is a fantastic opportunity to network with students from other schools. Students are able to access the link to register their interest on Compass.

 

Hope to see you there!

Mrs Ashleigh Boulus
YOUTH MINISTRY COORDINATOR

   

   

Yours in Christ,

Christina Breda
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR

As I reflect on the final weeks of Term 3, it gives me great pride to reminisce on the manner in which Year 12 approached their final weeks of classes at the College. The final week saw a week of celebration with the College farewell assembly. The Class of 2025 presented the College with a gift, a sword to use for formal Cadet events at the College. Later that evening we celebrated Mass and student success with the presentation of the academic and other prestigious awards at the College. Special mention to the highest Academic achievement award recipient Isaac Siebert and Holy Cross Medal recipient Chris Dalamagis.

On the Friday night we have over 200 people in attendance at the year 12 formal. A night filled with good food, great company and lots of dancing. This was the ideal way to wrap up 13 years of schooling.

As the Graduating Class of 2025 are now in their second week of the HSC, I would like to take the opportunity to tell them how immensely proud I am of the way they have conducted themselves through this process. Every student has arrived with a positive attitude and worked collaboratively with their peers because they know the importance of lifting as a group. 

To the many students that are not sitting formal examinations and have taken up full time employment or continued work with apprenticeships. It has been so nice to hear that you are succeeding in your chosen path and enjoying the workforce. This is not an easy task but you have taken on the challenge with maturity and determination.  

To all of the Graduating Class of 2025, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you and your families and I wish you the very best for your future endeavours.

Ms Jenna Belcastro

Year 12 Coordinator 

2025 CLANCY RELIGIOUS ART PRIZE OPENING NIGHT 

Friday 5 th September  McGlade Gallery ACU Strathfield

The Clancy Prize was launched in1999 by the former Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal Edward Clancy, to celebrate Religious Art as a powerful force in the service of humanity.

The theme of this year’s 2025 exhibition was Saints Anchored in Hope. 

This is in alignment with the overarching theme of the Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope. This theme serves as a call to delve deeper into our spiritual knowledge, seeking inspiration from the saints of the Catholic Church and translating these insights into powerful, captivating works of art. 

This was the 26tth of the competition and the 26th year Holy Cross has entered The Clancy Prize. Two creative works were entered into the exhibition.

This exhibition provided a platform for our students to explore the lives of the saints in a unique way, while also developing a deeper understanding of the theological virtue of hope that sustains them through every moment of our lives. Their artworks  not only contributed to the beauty of their faith but will also served as a reflection of the hope they carry as pilgrims in this world.

Ruari Frawley of Year 10 entered  a large charcoal drawing of Saint Anges.

“Anges Saint of Hope Beauty and Flames”.

 “Her journey in life was an inspiration to Christians of her time and now. Born in 291 AD. She was very beautiful and belonged to a wealthy Christian family. According to a persistent legend, one of her suitors was named Symphronious, the son of a prefect. His desire drove him to distraction. When the prefect learned of this, he brought Agnes in and pleaded with her to marry his son. She refused, revealing that she was a Christian. Agnes was remarkably steadfast in her commitment, faith and service to Christ. She was arrested and sentenced to death by burning. Tradition says that the flames did not consume Saint Agnes, so she was beheaded. Her example gave strength and Hope to other Christians. I have depicted Angus in charcoal as a symbol of her burning.”

Sam Nancarrow of Year 9 created a series of  digital works  based on  the Stations of the Cross

“Via Crucis: A Digital Pilgrimage”

"This Collection aims to modernise the stations of the Cross and represent them in a medium that the new “Digital” generation will associate with. The story of the stations of the Cross shows many people that Jesus brought hope through his words and his actions before his last pilgrimage. My belief is if the Young learn this story it will give them a strand of hope to show them the world gets better. The original Images were created in roblox studio before being run through microsoft copilot to invoke  that biblical feeling that we associate with the early works made for the church. I decided to modernise the stations of the cross in a means that would resonate with my generation of tech literate and digital engaged Christians. My hope with this art work is to engage the youth with the stories of the bible. In my eyes Jesus is the ultimate symbol of hope.” 

Learning @ HCC - A fantastic day out for our Year 11 Biology students on their marine life excursion this week. It was a great opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, observing coastal ecosystems and biodiversity firsthand. 

Learning @ HCC - Year 11 Design Technology students recently completed a Tiny Home Challenge where they were required to create accommodation for at least two people while not exceeding a total footprint of 30m squared, as a part of their final project of the preliminary course.

Holy Cross College, Ryde 3/136 def. Patrician Brother’s College, Blacktown 4/133.

The Brother Patrick Lovegrove Cup took place for the first time since Covid. It was a pleasure for Holy Cross to host Patrician Brother’s Blacktown at Monash Oval on a glorious Thursday afternoon.

Blacktown won the toss and elected to bat. Josh Hardiman and Ryan Moller were accurate with the new ball and managed to break through with some early wickets to leave Blacktown reeling at 3/13. However, Blacktown responded with an impressive partnership of 92 that saw them put the pressure back on the Holy Cross bowling and fielding. Some tight bowling at the death saw Blacktown post a final total of 4/133 off their 20 overs.

Holy Cross made an aggressive start with the bat and were able to punish some wayward bowling from Blacktown. Despite losing a few wickets, Holy Cross were able to chase down the target in the 10th over. Top scorers with the bat were Noah Golds (35), Tanishq Shah (25) and our Year 8 debutant Tej Shah (21*) was able to steer the team home.

Most importantly, the game was played in a tremendous spirit, with both teams demonstrating what it means to be a Patrician school. Brother Pat was kept up to date on the result and was delighted to hear that both schools were able to play against each other again. Holy Cross wishes Pats Blacktown all the best for their upcoming season.

On Friday, Year 7 and 8 students attended the ‘Backflips against Bullying’ performance to highlight the need for positive relationships between peers, parents and teachers. This presentation was interactive and thought provoking for the students. It alr reinforced that as a College, bullying of any type is not permitted and offered strategies for students to seek help. A huge thank you to the students who volunteered on the day and Mr Islam who was brave enough to not be harmed in the presentation.

Taleb Uniform Shop is

Located in the Bishop Carroll Building

(30m down pathway from Chapel)

   

The Taleb Uniform shop opens on

Monday 8.00am-10.00am and Wednesday 3.00pm-5.00pm

DURING SCHOOL TERM ONLY.

  

Online orders must be collected by students

from the shop during shop hours.

    

Any enquires about purchase of uniforms or fittings

are to be made directly to Taleb Australia.

         

WEBSITE: https://holycrossuniformshop.com/

EMAIL:  sales@taleb.com.au

PHONE:  02 9550 6366

The Second Hand Uniform Shop is open on

Tuesday and Friday mornings between

8:30am & 9:00am.

(Located next to the double gates down from the Chapel.)

DONATIONS FOR THE

SECOND HARD UNIFORM SHOP

CAN BE LEFT AT STUDENT SERVICES

Old Style Sports Uniforms

The Second Hand Uniform Shop have the old style sports uniform available for purchase at very reduced prices.

There are limited sizes available and students are still permitted to wear this style.

Please Note:  Coloured House Shirts are no longer required to be purchased as part of the College uniform.

Parishioners can register online to receive daily e-news and the weekly Bulletin by email.

Just go to the Parish website at www.rgcp.org.au and fill in the subscription details on the right hand side.